Pastrami love affair

Jane’s Delicatessen is classy, simple, and satisfying

By Amanda Ruyle

Greg Bollinger

On a quiet Sunday evening I took two of the pickiest eaters in the history of food consumption (my husband and child) out to dinner. The third pickiest eater stayed home, as it seems 13-year-old sons prefer to have their meals catered directly to their computers.

We found our way to one of Tulsa’s newest eateries, Jane’s Delicatessen, located in The Campbell Hotel, where Maxxwells used to be (2636 E. 11th St.). The space is large but has a homey feel, thanks to the soft gray booths that change color throughout the day and the warm, honey-colored wood of the tables and bar. A massive portrait of “Jane the Highland Cattle,” designed by Oklahoma City artist Joey Gordon, adorns the white tile wall behind the large bar, managing to create a high art aesthetic and be adorable at the same time. Seriously, you’re going to want to boop Jane’s nose.

Open from 7 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, Jane’s has two small but diverse menus inspired by owner Dane Tannehill’s travels with
his wife.

“Whenever we’d go out of town, we’d always hit up the different delicatessens,” Tannehill said. “We wanted to bring something we’ve never seen here.”

Both the breakfast and combined lunch and dinner menus feature homemade breads, bagels, and meats cured in-house. A single sample bite of the smoky, tender, spice-encrusted pastrami forced me to reconsider my commitment to my husband.

Every dish was delicious and thoughtful. The classic poutine was made with homemade fries and covered in a perfectly rich brown gravy and melted cheese curds. Each element complemented the other; this dish was decadent yet not overwhelming. For me, anyways. My not-pastrami husband ate nearly all of his off-menu vegetarian poutine by himself, a move he would soon regret.

The kale salad was a treat, with kale torn into smaller-than-usual pieces, shaved almonds, dates, shallots, parmesan, and light lemon honey vinaigrette. My daughter reviewed it: “amazing and magnificent.” She also loved the house-made potato chips that came with my sandwich.

The veggie burger and roast beef sandwich were generously proportioned, balanced, and delicious. The veggie burger was a standout for me. Made with beets and chickpeas served on frybread, it wasn’t the throwaway item veggie burgers often are, but instead an exciting combination of flavors and textures. My not-pastrami husband loved it, until he hit the poutine pain wall and slumped against the window, alarming our daughter.

I received frantic texts from my famished teen, checking on the ETA of his schnitzel, so we headed home. The schnitzel was gone within three minutes. I managed to snag one bite—it was excellent, even after the trip across town. The crust was well seasoned and crunchy, the meat thin and tender.

Open seven days a week, Jane’s Delicatessen is a wonderful addition to the Tulsa food scene. Be sure to tell the pastrami I said hi when you go.